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Random thoughts on “NAMKEEN” (1982)

Caution: Spoilers Ahead

This is not a review kind of article but describes my random feelings and thoughts while and after watching Namkeen. Kartik has written an article on Namkeen but I must share my thoughts about this gem, - you have to tolerate this. Pardon me if some lines match with kartik’s article but this would be genuine as we all have same feelings about cinema.

So Namkeen is a story about a truck driver and his relation with four women residing in a remote Himachal village. Truck driver Gerulal (Sanjeev Kumar) decides to rent a house in a village where house owner is a family consisting of an old woman (Waheeda Rehman) and her three daughters(Nimki-Sharmila Tagore, Mithu-Shaban Azmi, Chinki-Kiran Vairale). Then their relation develops and Gerulal is thinking to marry elder sister Nimki. But as his work contract expires he has to go to other place. After three years- meeting with the younger sister chinki in an unusual condition; he returns to Nimki.

Whole film is very close to nature. Gulzarsaab has taken care of minor details related with day to day activities of villagers. Throughout the film you involve with the characters that I began to feel pain of family and Gerulal as he has to leave the family for his work. I wish Sanjeev kumar should marry with Nimki and reside in that beautiful village for lifetime.

That “basi roti achar (pickle) ke saath de dena”- minor detail major impact.
Gulzar never shows that mithu is mute, it is sanjeev kumar who tells audience that she is mute.

Some of the funny dialogues which proves sharp sense of humour of writers
-Confusion between Gerulal and Dhaniram about three girls and Gerulal says “saala ladkiyan dikhata do hain aur baatein teen ki karta hai”
-Sanjiv kumar: “abe dhaniram ki aulaad” and Dhaniram replies” kyu baap aur bete ko ek naam se bula rahe ho”
- That conversation between Gerulal and an old woman when Gerulal kills a murgi by accident

The music- in one word- mind soothing as well as mind blasting.
“Aamki chali” - that sound of flute, truly amazing. I felt that I was in my native village.
“Phir se aaye, badra bideshi” and mithoo wearing shawl wandering on foggy hills- mind blowing.
“Raah pe rehte hai” where transformation of time with respect to various seasons and also transformation of Gerulal (initially he is reluctant to wine, while after three years he is habituated to it”)
- “Aisa laga” song when a guy imitates gesture and actions of Chinki.

Cinematography- the night scenes in house without light. We did not feel need of extra lights to see emotions and performances.

Personally I felt that the scenes where mithu becomes mad; were not necessary. It did not suit the mood and treatment of the film. If Nimki only told Gerulal that mitho turned mad; we were convinced.

Also I felt very sad that when I read that this gem remained unreleased for long time as no distributors were keen to adopt it. So finally it was released on Doordarshan in 1982.

In short, Namkeen is truly namkeen in taste - it has various tastes – sourness of emotions, sweetness of light comedy, little bit bitterness of complicated relations, and in addition it is close to nature and reality like Desi butter milk with masala added. So if you have not seen it yet, just rent dvd and enjoy one of the best Gulzar+ Sanjeev Kumar+ R D Burman combination with added benefits of Waheeda Rehman, Sharmila Tagore, Shabana Aazmi and Kiran Vairale.
-Shailesh Limbachiya